The Lombardis’ Lake Como Villa in the Heart of Lakewood

While you aren’t likely to spot George Clooney walking his dog, our Inwood House of the Week at 6855 Lakewood Boulevard will certainly make you feel as if you’ve entered a Lake Como villa.

“It’s very European,” listing agent Scott Carlson with Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International said. “I’m at Lake Como a lot and this house just captures the feel beautifully.

Carlson has the 6,253-square-foot home listed for $1.95 million. “The beautiful thing about this house is it’s only 10 years old but it’s built to look old, so you have the charm of the old but you don’t have any of the issues,” Carlson said.

There is indeed an elegant, “old world” sensibility that has been infused with energy and flavor by the owners, Vivian and Alberto Lombardi — yes the Lombardis of Lombardi Family Concepts — owners of so many incredible restaurants we’ve lost count. They know just a bit about creating a warm inviting atmosphere, and that’s exactly what they’ve done in this home.

The house has great flow while still maintaining a sense of definition and privacy. It’s deceptively large, in that you don’t feel overwhelmed by the room sizes. With five bedrooms, four bathrooms, two powder baths, and a media room, keeping that intimacy intact could have been a challenge, but the feeling of a warm, cozy, family home is evident from the moment you enter.

“The Lombardis got involved when the home was midway through construction, so a lot of upgrades were made specific to their needs,” Carlson said.

The kitchen, of course, is a keen reflection of this. When your company motto is “Eat, Drink, and Enjoy Life,” there is no doubt your kitchen is going to be spectacular. The centerpiece is the striking commercial-grade, copper-and-steel vent that tops the Wolf professional range. There’s also a Miele steam oven, perfect when making risotto for a crowd.

The drink part of that motto can be found just outside the kitchen in a wine cellar, cleverly tucked under the staircase. At the open house, we overheard a potential buyer musing about how they could possibly try and negotiate for the wine collection. It’s impressive, to put it mildly.

The master suite is downstairs with one of the largest closets we’ve seen in quite some time. It overlooks the heated saltwater pool, cabana, and manicured grounds.

Secondary bedrooms, an open plan entertainment area, and the media room are on the second floor, and a guest suite is in a separate wing — perfect for a live-in nanny.

There is an On-Q home technology system which means this is a smart house. You can control everything, from your phone or tablet.

“It’s very much a home for entertaining,” Carlson said. It’s also very much a family home. The Lombardis excel in creating atmosphere whether it is in a restaurant or a home. We’re certain if you’re lucky enough to nab this one “Eat, Drink, and Enjoy Life” will become your motto as well.